They say Mexico City is the city with the most museums in the world. I’m not sure who really keeps stats on that, but after spending the better part of 6 weeks in Mexico City, I got around to my fair share of museums. Here are four of my favorites.
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Paseo de La Reforma in Polanco. Admission: $65 MXP. Closed Monday.
The museum to hit in Mexico City. With a vast collection of archeological artifacts from every corner of the country, it’s a national treasure that helps you understand the rich history of Mexico…and it’s huge! 23 rooms on two floors, and some great outdoor spaces.
I’d gone on previous trips, and twice on this one so I wouldn’t get artifact fatigue, and always discover something new. You can get a guide outside to get great insight into the most important pieces, or just read, as most of the collection has English explanations. Don’t miss it!
Museo Soumaya
Plaza Carso in Polanco. Free Admission. Closed Tuesday.
An impressive museum, inside and out (though many locals disagree on the latter and see it as a bit of an eyesore), Museo Soumaya was founded by Mexican magnate Carlos Slim, the richest man in the world, named after his late wife, and designed by his son-in-law. I checked it out over three separate visits.
It had a fantastic collection, with a different exhibit on each of the six floors. While the first two weren’t my cup of tea (coins and Asian ivories), I spent a good bit of time and quiet enjoyed the remaining four, which featured European Masters (permanent, 3rd floor); Impressionism & Avant-Garde Movement (permananent, 4th floor); a special collection on Venice (temporary, 5th floor); and my favorite, The Age of Rodin (permanent, floor 6).
As part of their Art for Everyone mission, entry is free and it’s one of the few museums in the city open on Mondays.
Casa Azul
Coyoacán. Admission: $120-$140 MXP. Camera permit: $60 MXP. Closed Monday.
Another Mexico City classic, the former home of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera is a popular museum that only requires a couple of hours, at most, due to its manageable size.
Given its popularity, they definitely stick it to you with higher prices on weekends and a compulsory fee if you want to use your camera.
It’s a fascinating, colorful place that helps you understand Frida and gain a deeper appreciation for her artwork. Still not sold on the unibrow, though.
Museo Memoria y Tolerancia
Centro. Admission: $75 MXP. Closed Monday.
Wow, was this a sobering, thought-provoking museum that I learned a lot at and am very glad I went to.
Very modern, with great multi-media displays, it’s a place you have to be a little prepared to visit, as it primarily deals with genocide. The exhibit on the Holocaust is the most extensive, but the atrocities in Armenia, Yugoslavia, Guatemala, Mexico, Rwanda, and Darfur are also part of the “Memoria” part of the museum.
Getting the background and unreal death tolls for these mass crimes was eye-opening. Walking through a train car actually used to transport Jews to a concentration camp and seeing so much Nazi memorabilia was an emotional experience. The “Tolerancia” part of the museum is also interesting and deals with discrimation in modern times.
